Where it is said
- Rio de Janeiro· strongly associated
How it is used
Two faces in one word: admiringly, the street-smart survivor of the classic carioca 'malandro' figure celebrated in samba; disapprovingly, a freeloader or crook. Tone of voice decides which one you mean, so use it carefully about real people.
Examples
Ele é muito malandro, sempre dá um jeito de se virar.
He is a real hustler, he always finds a way to get by.
Não confia naquele cara, ele é malandro demais.
Don't trust that guy, he's a real con artist.